Charlene Calabro

Charlene Calabro was delivered into the waiting arms of God Tuesday morning with her family holding vigil. She lived a long and fruitful life full of laughs and children and adventures.

She was a life force until her dying breath at age 96 just days before her birthday.

She was preceded by the love of her life her husband Paul who she met at Canterbury College in Danville. They were in love it seems from the time they met. He was a veteran of the Navy Pacific campaign in WWII attending school on a GI bill. They were both educated as teachers. They made a striking couple, married for nearly 70 years. She was a homecoming queen and he was a college baseball shortstop.

They spent time at her parents' Lotus and Eunice Armstrong's farm along the Flatrock River in Waldron, Indiana. It was there that she helped her dad and her brothers Sheldon, Pee Wee and Carlos and her best friend for life younger sister Janet. They farmed many acres of corn and soybeans and raised Angus cattle. She showed cattle in 4 H competitions around central Indiana.

She had a work ethic second to none. She imparted that to her three sons Kevin, Ron and Dave. It was not uncommon for her to go on strike if certain chores and expectations were not met around the house.

She taught kindergarten and first grade for 30 years in Wayne Township on the west side of Indianapolis. She loved children and was unflaggingly patient with them.

Countless men and women in central Indiana were positively affected by her upbeat energy and zest for life. Her theory of living life well was eternal optimism and never giving up. Quitting on one's own self, on family, on friends, on community, on country, on God were never options.

Her most treasured and precious relationships were with her grandchildren and nieces, and nephews. There was nothing better than having them all at the house for pool parties, barbeques and sleep overs. Until she died, she was on the phone to them to make sure they were living well. She was a true second mother to her daughters-in-law. She shared Italian food recipes and funny incriminating stories about the exploits of her sons.

She lived in Chapel Hill, Avon and in her remaining years at Sunrise on Old Meridian in Carmel. She loved her neighbors. Knew everybody's name and treated people with respect. She was a trusting person. She set an example for a life lived well.

She was of that generation of Americans who with ultimate sacrifices shaped the world we live in today. May we follow their path and pass on the word to never quit believing in all that is good.

Charlene is survived by her children, Kevin (Sue) Calabro, Ron (Kim) Calabro, and Dave (Lisa) Calabro; grandchildren, Anthony (Stephanie) Calabro, Nick Calabro, Lauren (Caitlin) Calabro, Joey (Amelia) Calabro, Kelsey (Ben Spencer) Calabro, Samanta (Jesse) Johnston, Carley (Bradley) Calabro, Drew (Alexandra) Calabro, Alex (Angie) Calabro; great-grandchildren, Leni, Cooper, and Carter; and siblings, Janet Orem and Lowell (Judy) Armstrong. 

A Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 10, from 10:30am to 12pm, with a Funeral Service at 12pm, at Flanner Buchanan – Carmel, 325 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032. Charlene’s final resting place will be at South Park Cemetery in Greensburg.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Charlene’s memory to Teachers’ Treasures, 1800 E. 10th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46201.